Overview

Although legend says this region used to be a pirate haunt, Cayo Coco was closer to a desert island before the tourist industry began developing it in the early 1990s. The development of the local tourist industry, however, worries environmentalists. The construction of numerous hotel complexes is bound to have an impact on the fragile ecosystem of this almost pristine region. To learn more on this subject, you can venture off the tourist track and visit the Centro de Investigación de Ecosystems Costeros, located at the entrance to Cayo Coco, near the kiosk. Administered by the Cuban Ministry of Science, this centre studies Cayo Coco's ecosystem in order to ensure its protection. On the centre's advice, it has been agreed that only 4% of the territory will be developed for tourism.

For trout fishing or boating, people go to Laguna La Redonda, a 24-km

(9.2 sq. mi.) stretch of water along the road to Cayo Coco, 12 kilometres (7.4 miles) from Morón. Don't forget to bring along insect repellent; otherwise, you'll be eaten alive by the mosquitoes.

Cayo Coco is bordered by a coral reef that extends over 32 kilometres (20 mi.) and features almost 20 diving sites.

Where on earth